It's the first Argentinian Grand Prix I haven't led. " Well I was just thinking rather, that it is rather how fate works. Sometimes you get it right, some times you get it wrong." - Talking to David Coleman.
In this race, Hunt's 70th grand prix, his tyres are giving him a few problems. " - Harry Carpenter.
James hunt driver#
" He's been the quickest driver in the pre-season testing and Andretti has tipped him as the man to beat. " Hunt who is leading this group is looking for a good season, at the end of last year, he won two of the last three races and wound up the season with three wins. This trophy was awarded to the best British racing driver.ġ974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Broadcasting Quotes This spectacular performance earned him eighth place in the World Drivers' Championship and the Campbell Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club. Hunt had earned fourteen points throughout the season, despite only entering in half of the races on the season's calendar. This was for sure a sad end to the season.
James hunt drivers#
Again the celebrations would be sad, as the drivers mourn the loss of François Cevert in a qualifying accident. At the United States Grand Prix, Hunt would finish just over 0.6 seconds behind Ronnie Peterson and earn the second step on the podium. Hunt would get to experience the podium once more in the season. Although this was a happy day for Hunt, it would be a somber celebration after the drivers are told about the Roger Williamson who had died in a flaming crash on the seventh lap. This fourth place finish would earn him another three points, but these would not be has last of the season.Īt the following race in the Netherlands, Hunt would finish on the bottom step of the podium.
In his home Grand Prix, he would again prove his competitiveness by setting the fastest lap and finishing just missing the podium by 0.4 seconds. Taking a one race break and skipping the 1973 Swedish Grand Prix, Hunt would earn his first career point in France after beating Arturo Merzario of Ferrari for a sixth place finish. Starting 18th on the grid, Hunt would later retire from the race because of an engine issue. This criticism would not stop the team from being more competitive than the March works team, from which they purchased their chassis.īoth Hunt and the Hesketh team made their Formula One debut in the 1973 Monaco Grand Prix, just before the half way point in the season. The team was criticized for joining Formula One for the glamor rather than the racing.
The team would not become a registered constructor until the 1974 season and would only enter a single driver. Nevertheless, Hesketh announced the creation of the Hesketh team for the 1973 season. Hunt wished to join his rival Niki Lauda in Formula One, but Lord Hesketh was low on funds. Racing for Lord Hesketh in Formula Two, the team was failing. Hunt continued in this role until his death in 1993 from a heart attack at the age of 45.įormula One Career Before Formula One 1973 For 1979, Hunt joined the Wolf team, but the car was uncompetitive and Hunt retired mid-season.Īfter retirement, he was signed up by the BBC to act as co-commentator to Murray Walker, whom Hunt was nearly an opposite to. He was the only person to do this until Sebastian Vettel in 2010. Hunt never actually lead the championship until the final race. Hunt went on to won the championship, but by a very small margin after old roommate Niki Lauda's horrendous accident. In 1973, he joined up with Lord Hesketh, and drove for the Hesketh team until he signed to drive for McLaren in 1976, his strong performances for Hesketh, including one win, marking him out as an ideal signing after Emerson Fittipaldi's late exit from the team. Hunt started in touring car racing, and eventually progressed into Formula 3. This persona did not stay on track Hunt was a playboy, sleeping with over 5000 women, and often consumed alcohol and drugs. Hunt earned the nickname "Hunt the Shunt" for his on-track exploits. James Simon Wallis Hunt ( 29 August 1947 in Belmont nr Sutton, Surrey, England, United Kingdom – 15 June 1993 in Wimbledon, London, England, United Kingdom) was a British racing driver who competed in Formula One, becoming World Champion in 1976, beating Niki Lauda.